MORE than 150 civilian contractors are waiting to hear if their jobs are secure, with Serco Sodexo Defence Services potentially losing their long-held contract providing logistic support to Townsville military bases.

The multi-million-dollar contract, which is due to expire midyear, encompasses everything from cleaning to security and hospitality at Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville.

The Department of Defence confirmed preferred tenders were now participating in negotiations but would not confirm rumours Spotless had emerged as a strong contender.

A Serco employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said colleagues were searching for new jobs in case the contract was awarded elsewhere.

"We've been told we've got work until June 30 but after then it's up to whoever the new contractor is," they said.

National Union of Workers general branch secretary Sam Roberts said they would be pushing for all jobs to be retained in the event the contract changes hands.

"At this stage it is not clear which company will be taking over the Defence contract from Serco Sodexo, but whoever it is the union will be strongly advocating for all workers to be offered secure jobs as part of the process," he said. "We are talking about a highly skilled workforce, which is crucial for the ongoing success of the site and the industry."

A Defence spokesman said a final decision hadn't been announced.

"Serco Sodexo Defence Services currently provides a range of base support services under contract to Defence sites in Townsville. This contract is due to expire," he said.

"Defence has completed the evaluation stage of a re-tender process for Base Services delivered throughout Australia including those in Townsville. Preferred tenderers have now been invited to participate in negotiations.

"Defence and tenderers must comply with confidentiality and probity conditions, therefore, there will be no announcement on the identity of the preferred tenderers at this stage."

Comments on this story

One who knows Posted at 9:19 PM January 27, 2014

This not unlike when Spotless lost the contract to Serco Sodexo in 2008. 98% of the Spotless employees were not retained then, (FACT, Tell the Truth Townsville) so I very much doubt that the new contractor will retain the Current Serco Sodexo staff. FACT tell the Truth Townsville, do your research before opening your mouth

Tell the truth - Townsville Posted at 11:17 PM January 22, 2014

Minion, spot on.
John M.......this has absolutely nothing to do with the LNP. the contract for Serco came up for renewal and they didn't win the rights to renew it.
Everyone needs to face facts.........this is a media blow up. Most of the Serco workers will finish up with one company and restart the same day with the new company that won the rights.
Fact!
Are we all really that blind that we believe media hype? How about the companies that merge with others and people lose jobs, no media hype there because there isn't a story!!!,!

Citensen voter of Townsville Posted at 11:10 PM January 22, 2014

I must opject to the wholesale swander off our tax payers money to overseas tenders and the rubbish we get back for the cheap tenders like the shoes the got that fell appart on the mens feet. The nohopers in the departments only see there jobs on the line if they don't take the most lowers and cheapers tenders Not the ones who can do the job efficent. The last Priminister give the contract to atender in Victoria and all the local contractors had to put workers off. That is why he now is out off a job and the politics. He was very stupert Maybe this Tony is not so stupert.We will see. Thank you